Real costs of living on a narrow boat

JennyP

I am debating whether or not to take the plunge and buy a narrowboat.

I have stayed on one a few times before with a friend who lived on one (sadly lost touch now so I can't get help there!)

I know the downside as regards lack of space and I can live with that.

I've found moorings and a potential boat.

But have read quite a lot of posts - on here and on other forums - referring to the costs involved and how it's not actually as economical as you might think. I know some of the costs - I know about needing to get the boat regularly blacked, repainted, the boat safety certificate, the fact you pay for pump out (unless you have a cassette loo - yuk!) and the licence. Can anyone give me an idea of what these costs actually are and what other costs there might be? I'm imagining the engine would need servicing - perhaps annually?

Would I actually make a saving I wonder?

It isn't just about money - it's about a change of lifestyle, a move to somewhere new and living in more of a community. The latter is really important to me as I'm single but it's really difficult to find!

Upsidedown_Bear

http://www.rboa.org.uk/

carefullycautious

Hi, have you thought about joining a boating forum? Or going to your local canal and talking with liveaboards.


There are narrowboat living blogs that you can google.


Could you also rent one for a couple of weeks and see how you fare.


This is an interesting blog as the lady has now moved back on land after living for some years with children on board she is very honest about why she had to leave the life aboard


https://www.narrowboatwife.com

carefullycautious

Scroll down and read 'A new direction' very interesting reading


See above post

JennyP

Thank you! That looks like the best blog! Exactly what I like reading!

pinkshoes

My SIL lives on a boat, and I'm always surprised at how much she pays in council tax, given the service they receive is awful!

Then there are issues like parking, requiring a PO Box address, maintenance etc...

She still thinks it is much cheaper than renting a house though.

lincroft1710

pinkshoes wrote: »

My SIL lives on a boat, and I'm always surprised at how much she pays in council tax, given the service they receive is awful!

Council Tax is not a payment for services, it is a tax on residential property which goes towards funding local authority spending.

jacko74

Someone once said if you want to experience what it's like to own and live on a boat just sit fully clothed in a bath of cold water ripping up £20 notes.

Invicta

The Canal and River Trust (was British Waterways) have a very helpful web site and are the statutory governing body for most canals. You can also give them a ring.
Good luck with your new lifestyle.

nine9feet

JennyP wrote: »

I am debating whether or not to take the plunge and buy a narrowboat.

I have stayed on one a few times before with a friend who lived on one (sadly lost touch now so I can't get help there!)

I know the downside as regards lack of space and I can live with that.

I've found moorings and a potential boat.

But have read quite a lot of posts - on here and on other forums - referring to the costs involved and how it's not actually as economical as you might think. I know some of the costs - I know about needing to get the boat regularly blacked, repainted, the boat safety certificate, the fact you pay for pump out (unless you have a cassette loo - yuk!) and the licence. Can anyone give me an idea of what these costs actually are and what other costs there might be? I'm imagining the engine would need servicing - perhaps annually?

Would I actually make a saving I wonder?

It isn't just about money - it's about a change of lifestyle, a move to somewhere new and living in more of a community. The latter is really important to me as I'm single but it's really difficult to find!

Hi!

This is almost one of those "how long is a piece of string?" questions!

Lots of costs are based on boat length. If your boat is, for example 50ft (~17m) you will generally pay less than I do for my 58ft. Examples of these kind of costs are blacking, mooring and licencing which are usually priced per foot.

For licence costs refer to Canal And River Trust (CRT).

You have already found a mooring, but is it residential or will the owner turn a blind eye? Annual mooring can cost anything from a few hundred on a farmers field with no facilities to over £10,000 for a prime London marina. Some residential moorings attract Council Tax at Band A rate.

Other costs may be fixed, such as engine service. Learn to do your own and buy consumables (e.g. oil filters) cheaper on the internet and you will save! Generally oil changes are required every 250 engine hours so depend on how much (if at all) you cruise. :ast time I paid for a service it was £120 plus parts (2x filters, 2x fan belts, 5litres oil).

I could go on but I am sure everyone is already bored so I will just suggest that you join two forums : Canalworld Discussion Forum (CWDF) (suggest you read and use search before posting anything here!!) ; also the livingonanarrowboat forum which was set up by Paul Smith who has put together comprehensive info on costs - some is free and some he sells. This forum is much softer than CWDF.

Good luck!

P.S. Sorry, could not get links to work so taken out

John
NB Samsara

SailorSam

That link doesn't work,
http://www.narrowboatwife.com/